I always wear leather cycling gloves for any length of trip, so I have enough cushioning regardless of the tape. My cork tape lasted 100 miles, and looks like new. But it did start to slip on one side. I was able to poke it back in place, and it didn't move out of the way for a while. It was installed at the bike shop, and there may be a better way than the way they did it. For one thing, whipping the ends rather than taping would be a lot stornger.

What does the Brooks tape cost? It can't be that special, there are lots of sources of leather out there. I got several rolls lof the leather they put on rackets, it is real nice. But basically any leather with the edges skived should work just fine.

Another option might be finding some leather stearing wheel covers that sews on. another example of leather that is easily home made if the lengths are unusual.